MHB Particle Velocity: Find $|v(2)|$ & $s(2)$

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The discussion focuses on calculating the particle's velocity and position at time t=2, given the acceleration function a(t)=3-2t. The velocity function is derived as v(t)=-t^2+3t+3, yielding |v(2)|=5. The position function is found through integration, resulting in s(2)=9⅓. Participants clarify the use of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTOC) for these calculations, emphasizing its role in determining definite integrals. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding both the magnitude and direction of velocity in the context of motion.
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$a(t)=3-2t$

$v\left(t\right)=\int a\left(t\right) dt = - t^2 +3t+3$

$\left| v\left(2\right) \right|=5$

$s\left(t\right)=\int v\left(t \right) dt $

$s\left(2\right)=9\frac{1}{3}$
 
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I would begin with:

$$\d{v}{t}=3-2t$$

Integrate w.r.t $t$:

$$\int_3^{v(t)}\,du=\int_0^t 3-2w\,dw$$

Apply the FTOC and solve for $v(t)$:

$$v(t)=-t^2+3t+3$$

They have asked for the velocity, which is a vector, so you want both the magnitude and the sign (which signifies direction for straight-line motion).

$$v(2)=-(2)^2+3(2)+3=5$$

Next, find the position:

$$\d{x}{t}=-t^2+3t+3$$

Integrate w.r.t $t$:

$$\int_0^{x(t)}\,du=\int_0^t -w^2+3w+3\,dw$$

Apply the FTOC:

$$x(t)=-\frac{1}{3}t^3+\frac{3}{2}t^2+3t$$

Now, distance is the magnitude of the position vector, so we should use the absolute value of the position to get the distance.

Hence:

$$|x(2)|=\left|-\frac{1}{3}(2)^3+\frac{3}{2}(2)^2+3(2)\right|=\left|-\frac{8}{3}+6+6\right|=\frac{28}{3}$$

So yes, I agree with your results. :)
 
That was very helpful but what is FTOC?

I will post some more of these it's still a foggy topic
 
karush said:
That was very helpful but what is FTOC?

I will post some more of these it's still a foggy topic

I was speaking of the anti-derivative form of the FTOC (Fundamental Theorem Of Calculus), for definite integrals:

$$\int_a^b f(x)\,dx=F(b)-F(a)$$ where $$\d{F}{x}=f(x)$$.
 

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